NBA Draft 2019: 5 targets for the Detroit Pistons
By Ian Levy
4. P.J. Washington, Forward, Kentucky
The Pistons desperately need more shooting to keep the floor spread around Griffin and Drummond and would probably be willing to take it in any form it comes. Washington played mostly power forward at Kentucky but likely doesn’t have the strength, rebounding chops or rim protection ability to survive as a full-time big at the next level. However, he’s not quite quick enough in space or a polished enough ball-handler to survive full-time on the wing either.
On the plus side, Washington made 42.3 percent of his 78 3-point attempts last season, he can finish around the basket and he does offer the versatility to play at both forward spots, even if that versatility is implemented reactively because of his weaknesses, with the matchup dictating where he has to play. In the end, Washington’s ceiling is probably something like a healthy Patrick Patterson — a situational role player who doesn’t drastically raise a team’s ceiling but who could contribute meaningful minutes on a good team. It’s not the sexiest pick for the Pistons but could certainly improve their team.